July 19, 2011 9pm Update - Pains Bay Fire
Incident: Pains Bay Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/19/2011
General Information
Fire Size
45,294 acres
Containment 100%
· The 70 square mile Pains Bay Fire located one mile west of Stumpy Point and 9 miles south of Manns Harbor has burned since May 5.
· Due to continued decrease in fire activity; the Range/NCFS has demobilized all resources assigned to the Pains Bay Fire. The thirteen NCFS employees assigned to fire suppression on the Range have responded to four new fire starts associated with range activities. A 100-acre fire occurred on the Air Force portion of the range; three fires (2, 5, and � acres) occurred on the Navy portion. Pumping activity today is not associated with the Pains Bay Fire.
· On the Refuge, there have been minor flare-ups on the southern part of the fire, primarily near US 264 and Pamlico Road. Infrared flights of the perimeter are flown several times a week to identify hotspots.
· A burning ban remains in effect for 17 eastern North Carolina counties, including Dare County. The ban was lifted in 10 counties last week. More details can be found at http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/news pubs/newsdesk 2011.htm
Containment
· 100 % containment does not mean the fire is out.
Ground Fire
· Infrared flights continue to be flown several times a week to identify hotspots. Very few remain. All ground fire appears to be on the southern portions of the fire area and on refuge land.
Smoke Information
· Smoke advisories may be found at www.weather.gov/mhx .
· Pains Bay Fire (http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2218/) is currently producing very minor amounts of smoke.
·
Current Resources Assigned
· The Refuge has one Type 3 helicopter with 3 crew members and one engine with 3 crew, Jarred Culbertson is one of the engine crew and also has transitioned to be the Incident Commander of the Type 4 team. In addition, local resources (refuge fire staff) are on standby for initial attack.
· The Range (NCDFR) has demobilized all resources that were assigned to the Pains Bay Fire.
Additional Information
· The Juniper Road fire ( http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2371/) continues to burn in Pender County. It is 31,140 acres in size and is 85% contained.
· The Simmons Road Fire (http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2373/) is located in Bladen County, remains at a size of 5632 acres, and is 70% contained.
· On Wednesday, July 20, the NCFS Brandon-Smith Team will take control of both the Simmons Road and Juniper Road fires.
· In Dare County, fire readiness was at level three over the week-end, but moved to level 4 today, primarily due to increased wind speed.
· For additional refuge information, visit www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/
· Other sources of information including announcements, photos and maps can be found at Inciweb http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2218/ or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/NC-Division-of-Forest-Resources/117366861613343 or http://www.facebook.com/ ref=logo%23!/pages/Friends-of-Alligator-River-and-Pea-Island-National-Wildlife-Refuges/428296430051
